Jim Wallis has it right. This current crisis, like all financial crises before, comes from greed. People getting caught with dollar signs in their eyes not caring about ethics or morality, but doing whatever it takes to make a buck. Gambling with other people's money basically.
The crisis is complex. There are no simple solutions, though if some people aren't barred from working in the financial sector then we have an issue.
But my current problem isn't with the government, or even the bankers and traders who helped to precipitate this crisis, its with the church. What does the church have to do with it? Well, when was the last time you heard a sermon preached on greed? Honestly. Especially in many "evangelical" churches.
When talking to conservative christians about sins and politics, how many list greed? Not just as the top issue, but list it at all? Lots will say abortion (which is tragic), gay marriage (which while sinful is...who is this hurting again? Besides those already involved?), but greed, which is America's biggest sin usually won't get mentioned? Why not?
Well, greed is something that most people struggle with. We have a mindset in America that we are supposed be able to have what we want. A big house, a nice car, vacations, etc, etc. Are any of those things bad? Well, a big house maybe, depends on the number of kids, but really, our priorities are so "me"centric, so materialistic, that we miss out on how our collective greed as a nation is fueling these crises.
If Christians really thought about how to use their money, if greed was an issue that was hammered on about as much as others, our nation would be in a very different place. We wouldn't be so far in debt and falling farther and farther behind. We wouldn't be bailing out Wall Street (which I think needs to be done, but not in the way its going to be) and we wouldn't be wringing our hands about the economy and gas prices.
I have a question for conservative voters. Why are you so worried about tax cuts for the wealthy? Or even yourselves? What about using some of that money to help out the less fortunate, to create opportunity, to not sink our country farther in debt?
I have a question for Democratic voters. Would the Democrats be able to not just create new ways to spend income but actually revamp programs in existence to work more efficiently. We don't have enough money as it is, just spending more will not solve anything.
I don't see a lot of hope in either of the parties right now. As Wallis outlined in "God's Politics" we need a change to sweep through the people of America, THEN, and ONLY then will the politicians see fit to change their ways.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Getting it right, getting it wrong
I'm not the biggest fan of the job the FDA has been doing, so when I see them catch a problem, I'm going to applaud them for it. Ranbaxy, a generic drug manufacturer, has 2 of its plants in India that were not documenting their processes well enough. Mainly in sterility and cleaning of parts. Sort of important you would think. There is now a ban in place by the FDA on their imports.
The FDA did a good thing here. Now, it also brings up other issues. Generic drugs are by and large safe. They are the same formulation as the namebrand and having been part of different drug studies on the time release of generics (brain fungus free here!) know they are required to test them rigorously. Then its off to our overseas facility to make them! Yay!
It still seems odd to me we can't buy drugs from Canada, which has its own FDA style agency, because the FDA isn't overseeing it, when there are thousands of plants around the world the FDA can't police. One would think that buying drugs from Canada would actually make the FDA's job easier as then some of the workload would be taken off of them. Oh well, good work FDA on picking up this problem and stopping it.
Now for a bit of government gone wrong. Is there anyone still out there that thinks total deregulation is a good idea anymore? Things are ugly in the financial sector. While that doesn't directly effect all of us yet, it will. Just do the math on how long it will take to earn back what your 401K has lost lately. Just remember, if it goes down 15% in a year, you'd need to make back about 20-22% the next year just to be where you would be. Depressing huh? But that's what you have to do to a certain extent, just ride it out.
So are we through with business policing themselves please? I know the government is incompetent, so here's what I propose. Do this for all industry. Have each one pay a fee (tax, but fee sounds better) to a semi-private watchdog agency that reports to whatever government agency oversees the sector, financial, energy, food, etc. The money comes direct from the companies, but from ALL the companies without any option. No lobbying would be allowed as its semi-private, but neither would "informational calls" from companies. These agencies would exist solely to watch what is being done.
They would be run as either a non-profit or as a service company. They would NOT be federally funded, the money would go directly to their budgets. I guess I'm thinking of something like a GAO for business. We have so many little agencies that cannot do their jobs without massive political interference its effecting our country greatly. Ah well, I can dream right?
The FDA did a good thing here. Now, it also brings up other issues. Generic drugs are by and large safe. They are the same formulation as the namebrand and having been part of different drug studies on the time release of generics (brain fungus free here!) know they are required to test them rigorously. Then its off to our overseas facility to make them! Yay!
It still seems odd to me we can't buy drugs from Canada, which has its own FDA style agency, because the FDA isn't overseeing it, when there are thousands of plants around the world the FDA can't police. One would think that buying drugs from Canada would actually make the FDA's job easier as then some of the workload would be taken off of them. Oh well, good work FDA on picking up this problem and stopping it.
Now for a bit of government gone wrong. Is there anyone still out there that thinks total deregulation is a good idea anymore? Things are ugly in the financial sector. While that doesn't directly effect all of us yet, it will. Just do the math on how long it will take to earn back what your 401K has lost lately. Just remember, if it goes down 15% in a year, you'd need to make back about 20-22% the next year just to be where you would be. Depressing huh? But that's what you have to do to a certain extent, just ride it out.
So are we through with business policing themselves please? I know the government is incompetent, so here's what I propose. Do this for all industry. Have each one pay a fee (tax, but fee sounds better) to a semi-private watchdog agency that reports to whatever government agency oversees the sector, financial, energy, food, etc. The money comes direct from the companies, but from ALL the companies without any option. No lobbying would be allowed as its semi-private, but neither would "informational calls" from companies. These agencies would exist solely to watch what is being done.
They would be run as either a non-profit or as a service company. They would NOT be federally funded, the money would go directly to their budgets. I guess I'm thinking of something like a GAO for business. We have so many little agencies that cannot do their jobs without massive political interference its effecting our country greatly. Ah well, I can dream right?
Saturday, September 13, 2008
I've been avoiding this.
I don't care. Honestly, I don't. Its sad but true. I have given up caring about this election! Don't believe me? Well, you're right. I do still care, but not in the traditional "I'm backing my guy" sort of way.
This political season has been frustrating me more than most. Last election (rich white guy vs. other rich white guy) was bad enough, this cycle is sinking to lows not seen since probably the 19th century when fact checking was non-existant.
Our country is in a mess and I don't see either party saying what actually needs to be done to fix it. We are spending ourselves to oblivion. We cannot keep it up. You know how if you run your credit cards up and eventually its all you can do to make the minimum payments? Yeah, we're nearing that point as a nation daily. But does either candidate say the hard truths? Nope. They have some nice ideas and such, but most of which will actually cost MORE money.
Oh, and Republicans, please don't delude yourselves this is the Democrats fault. You've had the White House for 8 years, a majority in Congress for 6 of 8 years, and you've successfully passed two of the biggest entitlement/spending programs ever, the Medicare pill plan, and No Child Left Behind. Oh, and got the country into a war that has cost about 2 trillion dollars so far, give or take a couple billion.
I'm not a Democrat. I might vote for Obama, I might not. Living in Illinois means I don't have to worry about it much. But McCain's choice of Palin frustrates me on a number of levels.
First, it was an obvious desperation move (which just might work). Up until a few days before the Palin choice McCain was still considering Joe Lieberman, an independant Democrat but the party hacks convinced him that would sink him. So he gives up on his principles for the party, like he as so much this campaign season. (Obama has too, but McCain has a much longer record to go against.)
Second, Palin is NOT ready to run the country should McCain die in office. Obama is new, raw and under-qualified in many areas so he picks a running mate with lots of experience to shore him up. Biden can give advice to Obama if he is the president and if Obama would die in office Biden would step in ably.
McCain has the qualifications sure, but if something happens to him we would end up with a President who knows less about foreign affairs than I do! That terrifies me! Sarah Palin is a smart capable woman who has shown herself to be a quick study. But the way she talks, and it is only talk, of going to war with Russia to defend our ally Georgia is insane! I mean, I could understand a couple of old guys at the local diner saying things like that, but a VP candidate? I realize, she's raw, she's new, and she should have time to learn. But we've had 8 years of a president learning foreign policy on the fly. And he didn't surround himself with trustworthy advisors.
This is such an important election, I'm sad that I don't care like I should. Part of it is the fatalism that comes from living in Obama's home state. My vote, should it not go to him, will not matter as there is no percentage breakdown of votes. (No people, we do NOT want a popular vote. Trust me on this.) But it is also having to suffer through another Karl Rove led Republican sleaze session, that honestly McCain is better than. Obama has attempted to take the high road, and his attacks back have been whether through design or lack of experience not quite as sleazy. I just wish we could have a campaign on the real issues and have "straight talk" about the hard work that is necessary to get this country righted again.
(Oh, just a note for any conservatives out there that are happy that Palin is staunchly pro-life. Bush is too. He's appointed one of the most conservative courts ever. Have you seen a single step forward in that area? Abortion is a tragedy of massive proportions, but it is not going to go away by electing a Republican. Karl Rove just knows how to play you for your vote. Keep that in mind. You are being used. You don't have to vote for the other guy, but don't delude yourself into thinking the pro-life side will make any real changes at all. They won't.)
This political season has been frustrating me more than most. Last election (rich white guy vs. other rich white guy) was bad enough, this cycle is sinking to lows not seen since probably the 19th century when fact checking was non-existant.
Our country is in a mess and I don't see either party saying what actually needs to be done to fix it. We are spending ourselves to oblivion. We cannot keep it up. You know how if you run your credit cards up and eventually its all you can do to make the minimum payments? Yeah, we're nearing that point as a nation daily. But does either candidate say the hard truths? Nope. They have some nice ideas and such, but most of which will actually cost MORE money.
Oh, and Republicans, please don't delude yourselves this is the Democrats fault. You've had the White House for 8 years, a majority in Congress for 6 of 8 years, and you've successfully passed two of the biggest entitlement/spending programs ever, the Medicare pill plan, and No Child Left Behind. Oh, and got the country into a war that has cost about 2 trillion dollars so far, give or take a couple billion.
I'm not a Democrat. I might vote for Obama, I might not. Living in Illinois means I don't have to worry about it much. But McCain's choice of Palin frustrates me on a number of levels.
First, it was an obvious desperation move (which just might work). Up until a few days before the Palin choice McCain was still considering Joe Lieberman, an independant Democrat but the party hacks convinced him that would sink him. So he gives up on his principles for the party, like he as so much this campaign season. (Obama has too, but McCain has a much longer record to go against.)
Second, Palin is NOT ready to run the country should McCain die in office. Obama is new, raw and under-qualified in many areas so he picks a running mate with lots of experience to shore him up. Biden can give advice to Obama if he is the president and if Obama would die in office Biden would step in ably.
McCain has the qualifications sure, but if something happens to him we would end up with a President who knows less about foreign affairs than I do! That terrifies me! Sarah Palin is a smart capable woman who has shown herself to be a quick study. But the way she talks, and it is only talk, of going to war with Russia to defend our ally Georgia is insane! I mean, I could understand a couple of old guys at the local diner saying things like that, but a VP candidate? I realize, she's raw, she's new, and she should have time to learn. But we've had 8 years of a president learning foreign policy on the fly. And he didn't surround himself with trustworthy advisors.
This is such an important election, I'm sad that I don't care like I should. Part of it is the fatalism that comes from living in Obama's home state. My vote, should it not go to him, will not matter as there is no percentage breakdown of votes. (No people, we do NOT want a popular vote. Trust me on this.) But it is also having to suffer through another Karl Rove led Republican sleaze session, that honestly McCain is better than. Obama has attempted to take the high road, and his attacks back have been whether through design or lack of experience not quite as sleazy. I just wish we could have a campaign on the real issues and have "straight talk" about the hard work that is necessary to get this country righted again.
(Oh, just a note for any conservatives out there that are happy that Palin is staunchly pro-life. Bush is too. He's appointed one of the most conservative courts ever. Have you seen a single step forward in that area? Abortion is a tragedy of massive proportions, but it is not going to go away by electing a Republican. Karl Rove just knows how to play you for your vote. Keep that in mind. You are being used. You don't have to vote for the other guy, but don't delude yourself into thinking the pro-life side will make any real changes at all. They won't.)
Monday, September 8, 2008
A win is a win...
Well, the Bears did it. They beat the Colts in convincing fashion. That's good. Always good to start off with a win against one of the top teams in the league, even if they are a bit beat up. I am NOT complaining!
I'll start with what impressed me:
Defense, our defense was good! We put pressure on Manning, and we created turnovers. We tackled! It looked like our 2006 defense making hits and taking the ball away very good.
Special Teams, always good.
Offense: The O-line was good, Forte is very good, and our TEs are good. Orton also did fine, nothing fancy, but no screw-ups. That's ok.
Now, what concerns me. Our wide recievers, or lack of them. Unless we throw to our TEs a LOT (which we should) I'm concerned we won't really have a passing game which means we soon won't have a running game.
That said, well, we won, against the Colts! Yay!! I'm looking forward to how the year turns out.
I'll start with what impressed me:
Defense, our defense was good! We put pressure on Manning, and we created turnovers. We tackled! It looked like our 2006 defense making hits and taking the ball away very good.
Special Teams, always good.
Offense: The O-line was good, Forte is very good, and our TEs are good. Orton also did fine, nothing fancy, but no screw-ups. That's ok.
Now, what concerns me. Our wide recievers, or lack of them. Unless we throw to our TEs a LOT (which we should) I'm concerned we won't really have a passing game which means we soon won't have a running game.
That said, well, we won, against the Colts! Yay!! I'm looking forward to how the year turns out.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Whaaa???
(Just so's ya know, this isn't a blog saying how evil the Republicans are and that you should vote Democrat. Its just a blog musing on the hilarity that's been going on at the Republican convention. )
The Republican's have lost it. Lost what? you might ask. Their minds apparently. Somehow, the party that has had power in this country for the last 8 years, six of those years controlling both the White House AND Congress, can position themselves as the outside reformers. Its bizarre. And, are the American people dumb enough to fall for it?
No, I'm not calling you dumb if you vote Republican. I'm calling you dumb if you vote Republican because you think they're outsiders and not part of the Washington elite. They are. The Presidential candidate? He's been in the Senate for 26 years. Sure, they picked Palin to be the VP, but admit it, that was a desperation move because who else could McCain pick that wasn't going to get SHREDDED in the media? (Not that Palin is getting a pass, but here's a note to the media, NO ONE CARES OR SHOULD CARE IF HER DAUGHTER IS PREGNANT YOU IDIOTS!) Sure Palin as a reformer is being questioned, but that is fine. Focus on her politics, NOT her family.
What's funny is watching people like Guiliani and Romney (both multi-millionaires) rail at the "Washington elite." Cause they can relate better to my life? Being rich in and of itself is not wrong, but please, don't pander to me. (Again, Obama is FAR from poor, but he also hasn't been rich NEARLY as long as these guys. And working as a community organizer keeps you a bit closer to reality than most of these other jobs.) And its also funny hearing Guiliani and Romney talk about conservative ideals, since last I checked, their conservative credentials were a wee bit lacking.
The Republicans have had the power. They still have the (very quiet) Presidency. So, people, don't be duped that the Republicans are outsiders who will come in to save the day. They are not. If you somehow think the last 8 years have been a good thing, or believe that McCain would do a better job than Bush (it would be tough to do worse) then vote your conscience, that's fine. But don't buy the hype. They've been having a chance. You can extend it if you want, that's up to you.
A brief look at the other side. I am VERY unhappy with the Democrats who have held power in Congress the past 2 years. They keep saying they don't have the numbers to override a veto, which is true. So why have they not been sending bill after bill to Bush and forcing him to veto it? Where is the paper trail of "we tried but Bush vetoed it." instead of a bunch of whining soundbites on how they can't override the veto. Who cares. Show us you're trying. Its been pathetic and if they lose, they'll have no one to blame but themselves.
The Republican's have lost it. Lost what? you might ask. Their minds apparently. Somehow, the party that has had power in this country for the last 8 years, six of those years controlling both the White House AND Congress, can position themselves as the outside reformers. Its bizarre. And, are the American people dumb enough to fall for it?
No, I'm not calling you dumb if you vote Republican. I'm calling you dumb if you vote Republican because you think they're outsiders and not part of the Washington elite. They are. The Presidential candidate? He's been in the Senate for 26 years. Sure, they picked Palin to be the VP, but admit it, that was a desperation move because who else could McCain pick that wasn't going to get SHREDDED in the media? (Not that Palin is getting a pass, but here's a note to the media, NO ONE CARES OR SHOULD CARE IF HER DAUGHTER IS PREGNANT YOU IDIOTS!) Sure Palin as a reformer is being questioned, but that is fine. Focus on her politics, NOT her family.
What's funny is watching people like Guiliani and Romney (both multi-millionaires) rail at the "Washington elite." Cause they can relate better to my life? Being rich in and of itself is not wrong, but please, don't pander to me. (Again, Obama is FAR from poor, but he also hasn't been rich NEARLY as long as these guys. And working as a community organizer keeps you a bit closer to reality than most of these other jobs.) And its also funny hearing Guiliani and Romney talk about conservative ideals, since last I checked, their conservative credentials were a wee bit lacking.
The Republicans have had the power. They still have the (very quiet) Presidency. So, people, don't be duped that the Republicans are outsiders who will come in to save the day. They are not. If you somehow think the last 8 years have been a good thing, or believe that McCain would do a better job than Bush (it would be tough to do worse) then vote your conscience, that's fine. But don't buy the hype. They've been having a chance. You can extend it if you want, that's up to you.
A brief look at the other side. I am VERY unhappy with the Democrats who have held power in Congress the past 2 years. They keep saying they don't have the numbers to override a veto, which is true. So why have they not been sending bill after bill to Bush and forcing him to veto it? Where is the paper trail of "we tried but Bush vetoed it." instead of a bunch of whining soundbites on how they can't override the veto. Who cares. Show us you're trying. Its been pathetic and if they lose, they'll have no one to blame but themselves.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)